Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson to Spencer Roane

Thomas Jefferson to Spencer Roane

Dear Sir

Poplar Forest Sep. 6. 19.

I had read in the Enquirer, and with great approbation the
pieces signed Hampden, and have read them again with redoubled
approbation in the copies you have been so kind as to send me.
I subscribe to every tittle of them. they contain the true principles
of the revolution of 1800. for that was as real a revolution in
the principles of our government as that of 76. was in it's
form; not effected indeed by the sword, as that, but by the rational
and peaceable instrument of reform, the suffrage of the people.
the nation declared it's will by dismissing functionaries
of one principle, and electing those of another, in the two branches,
executive and legislative, submitted to their election. over the
judiciary department, the constitution had deprived them of their
controul. that therefore has continued the reprobated system:
and altho' new matter has been occasionally incorporated
into the old yet the leaven of the old mass seems to assimilate
to itself the new; and after 20 years confirmation of the federated
system by the voice of the nation, declared thro the medium of
elections, we find the judiciary on every occasion still driving
us into consolidation. in denying the right they usurp of exclusively
explaining the constitution. I go further than you do,
if I understand rightly your quotation from the Federalist of
an opinion that the judiciary is the last resort in relation totheotherdepartments of the government, but not in relation to the rights of the parties to the compact
under which the judiciary is derived. if this opinion be sound,
then indeed is our constitution a compleat felo de se for intending
to establish three. . .